Chapter 16
Matt
Iwoke up early Wednesday to work out before meeting Madi at Jack’s. When I offered to give her a ride, arguing we could save gas, she declined. I didn’t bother mentioning how much easier my job would be if she’d let me drive, like we do for most of our personal protection clients.
Driving gave Madi a sense of normalcy and independence she wasn’t willing to give up, and she had enough stress on her plate without me adding to it.
“You’re welcome to ride with me,” she’d countered.
“I can’t.” All my gear was in my truck.
I parked behind her at Grannie’s, and followed her in.
“Morning, Beth,” Madi called out from the middle of the cafe.
“Morning. The usual?”
“Yes, please.”
“Matt?” Beth asked.
“A large black, thanks.” I turned so I could see the door, grateful the large glass windows lining the sidewalk-facing wall gave me an early view of anyone walking in.
The cafe had an old-style saloon feel blended with modern equipment.
All the photos on the walls were black and white or sepia tinted, old-fashioned colored glass bottles decorated the shelves, and cowboy hats hung on hooks below them.
The modern lights shone down on dark wood tables and leather chairs.
Grannie’s was the perfect blend of old and new, and the locals and tourists alike loved it.
“Here you go,” Beth said, handing us our cups.
“What do I owe you?” I asked.
“I got it,” Madi answered.
I narrowed my eyes at her. My first instinct was to argue, but I could tell Madi needed this.
“Thank you.”
She looked skeptical. “But…?”
“No but, just gratitude.”
The bruise to my ego was a small price to pay if it helped her feel better. “You’re welcome.”
At the clinic, I backed into the parking spot closest to the road. The position ensured I wouldn’t get blocked in if we needed to make a fast getaway.
I spent most of the day on the front porch, taking occasional breaks to use the restroom or walk the perimeter.
Alice smiled and waved me through to the back whenever I had to use the bathroom.
I wondered if we could install a security door between the lobby and the exam rooms. On my way back, I checked out the entry point more closely. It was wider than standard, so they’d need a custom door.
I made a mental note to research the safety aspect of having a locking door in the clinic before talking to Madi.
“Can I order lunch for you?” she asked. “We lock the door from noon to one, so you’re welcome to eat with us in the breakroom.”
“Thank you, but I already ordered something.” I wouldn’t eat with them either, because I didn’t want to intrude on what was most likely Madi’s only break.
I laughed when the thought; it was an easy day, crossed my mind.
The only easy day was yesterday. The only easy part of today was working at the clinic.
Tonight, Madi and I had a date. Fake date.
With Paul moving to Weatherford, we needed to keep up the appearance of being a happy couple to keep him at bay.
If he continued popping up wherever she was, I’d have to play the jealous boyfriend. Paul won’t like that.
I’d also need to report it to her brothers. He’d like that even less, though it’d take him a while to realize it.
I had to walk a tightrope between Madi and SSI. I wouldn’t breach her trust, but I also wouldn’t risk her life. I’d end up pissing off someone before this was all over. Maybe everyone.
I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror before walking to Jack’s door and knocking.
“Hi, Matt,” Meg greeted me with a smile. “Come in. Madi’ll be ready in a second.”
“Thanks, Meg.”
My boss held a bottle for his daughter. “Robinson.”
I’d planned on playing nice, but instead I smiled and returned his cold greeting. “Sheppard.”
“Play nice, you two,” Meg ordered us as she took Natalie from Jack. I couldn’t see her expression, but from the look of defeat on Jack’s face, she’d scolded him.
Jack walked over and stuck out his hand. “Hi, Matt.”
“Hi, Jack.”
I had to give him credit for not using his grip to assert dominance.
“Any fun plans for tonight?” Jack asked through gritted teeth.
It was killing him to play nice, and I found it entertaining.
“Just dinner.”
“Sounds good.”
Death by politeness would be listed on Jack’s death certificate if Madi didn’t show up soon.
I barely finished the thought before Madi rounded the corner and walked into the open floor plan living space.
Jack’s voice faded along with everything else in the room.
Madi’s wavy, long brown hair cascaded around her face, framing her lined hazel eyes and luscious red lips.
That fucking lipstick on those lips had me going hard in a nanosecond.
In front of her fucking brother.
Booster seats. Diapers. Baby vomit. That did the trick.
I felt the heat of Jack’s glare, but I ignored him.
“You look beautiful.”
Madi’s blush reminded me of the night I spent making her cheeks and chest flush red.
Booster seats. Diapers. Baby vomit. I played those thoughts on repeat so I didn’t tent my pants like I was saluting the flag with my erection.
Her blue sweater hugged her delicious curves, and her calf-high boots added two inches to her height. I couldn’t wait to walk behind her so I could see her ass move in her tight, whitewashed jeans.
Booster seats. Diapers. Baby vomit.
“Thank you.” She turned to Jack. “I’ll be home later.”
Jack opened his mouth, but Meg’s voice came out as she stepped beside him. “Have fun.” She made Nat wave to us.
“Thanks,” Madi answered. She didn’t wait for Jack to say anything; instead, she turned me towards the door and gave my back a less-than-patient push. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Madi’s laugh squeezed my chest. Fake date, I reminded myself. Not that I wanted it to be real.
I don’t do long-term romance. But I’d go on a friends-with-benefits date with Madeleine Sheppard any day.
Hell, I’d even let her tie me up and use me any way she wanted.
Something else I’ve never let anyone to do.
The door thudded shut behind us.
“You look good. too,” Madi said.
“Thanks.”
When I placed my hand on her lower back and walked her to my SUV, she didn’t pull away. My hand itched to slide under her sweater and touch her soft, warm skin.
Rein it in, Robinson, you’re not getting lucky tonight.
No. Instead I’d go home alone with the worst case of blue balls on the planet and relieve the sexual tension with my hand.
“Where are we going?”
“I thought about going out of town.” If this were a real date, I’d drive her far from prying eyes. “But since we want to send a message...” The reminder was more for me than her, since she probably didn’t need it.
Or did she? She’d put some effort into her hair and makeup and dressed like it was a real date.
Don’t go there. It couldn’t happen. I didn’t want it to happen. She didn’t want it to happen.
Our job was to convince Paul that Madi was off the market.
During the drive, I asked, “Why do you call your Jeep O.P.?”
A perfectly innocent, non-sexual question.
“You know that old kids’ song about the one-eyed flying purple monster?”
Despite not having heard that song in decades, it started playing in my head.
“Yup. And now I’m singing it in my head.”
She giggled.
“When I went to pick her up at the detail shop, they’d only removed the protective tape from one headlight, and the song popped into my head.” She giggled. “It’s silly, but I don’t care.”
I liked this side of her, relaxed and playful.
“Why purple?”
“Why not?”
I stole a glance at her as I nodded.
“Purple’s my favorite color, and I love how the paint looks different in different lights.”
“Which is your favorite?” If this were an actual date, she’d probably write me off as lame.
“When the glitter sparkles in the sunlight.”
“Why’d you choose black?” she asked, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“I’m a SEAL, of course I chose black.”
“Is it like a rule or something? You get your trident and you have to buy a black SUV or truck.”
“It is; they send the SEAL police to check. If your truck is anything other than the manly black you see here, they strip you of your trident.” I patted myself on the back internally for delivering the entire lie without laughing.
Luckily, Nathan, a SEAL, also drove a black truck, or she could’ve disproved my lie without even trying.
“Must be true of Raiders, too.”
Jay also drove a black truck.
“No doubt. Black makes sense for the job. It’d be hard to blend in and go unnoticed in a sparkling purple Jeep.”
When we arrived at the upscale steak restaurant I’d chosen, I opted out of valet parking so I’d have immediate access to my truck if needed. Plus, I didn’t want to give access to the tools of my trade locked in the back. “If you don’t want to walk, I can drop you near the door.”
The look she gave me was the only answer I needed. Good thing.
If this were a real date I could drop her off, but I was on duty protecting Madi.
“Walking it is.”